Page 66 - For the Love of Porcelain

and-white Kakiemon bottles (fig. 3): in 1688
7-8
Two dishes, Kakiemon,
Japan, 1670 - 90s,
d. 17,5 and 17,8 cm,
Collection Twickel
Castle, Delden,
inv. nos. JK 15, JK 18
62 I vormen uit vuur
were for the official trade, but we know that
square bottles such as these were shipped for Cleyer had a keen interest in private trade. In
half a tael each. 10 fact, he was eventually forced to leave Japan
and although the details are unknown, there
Consumers, clients and patrons is a strong suspicion that he was too heavily
The European elite wanted high-quality involved in private enterprise. At any rate,
Japanese porcelain in the Kakiemon style. Cleyer became very rich. When he returned
Gisbert Cuper is a useful example of such to the VOC headquarters in Batavia, he
a wealthy customer. He was burgomaster built a grand house and lived a life of luxury.
of Deventer, and, more importantly, a
statesman who belonged to the European Witsen acted as Cleyer’s patron. As a VOC
academic elite. In this position, he was in director, he was in charge of appointments
close contact with politicians and academics and many people sought his support to
all over Europe, who sent him news, the secure employment. It may well be that
latest books, and objects of interest such he protected Cleyer, possibly through the
as ancient coins. Cuper had a broad range officials in Batavia. In return, Cleyer made
of interests and in trying to understand the sure he was useful to his patron in the
world around him, wanted to bring faraway Netherlands. He sent Witsen information
countries and cultures into his worldview. about Japan, including no less than 739
paintings of Japanese plants. Botany was
Among Cuper’s closest friends was Nicolaes a subject of interest to many European
Witsen (1641–1717), with whom he shared intellectuals, and in this way Cleyer acted as
many academic interests, and they exchanged a cultural agent of knowledge. His material
numerous letters on many topics. 11 Like from Japan allowed Witsen to share new
Cuper, Witsen was also burgomaster, of the exciting information with academic friends
most important town in the Netherlands: such as Cuper.
Amsterdam. As one of the directors of the
VOC, he was an influential, well-connected The second Japan traveller of interest is
man. His VOC contacts were very useful Engelbert Kaempfer (1651–1716), like
to Cuper in helping him to acquire objects Cleyer a German medical doctor with a keen
13
from distant lands, such as Chinese books interest in botany. He was in Dejima as a
and religious statues from Asia. In return, physician in the early 1690s and he too was
Cuper kept Witsen up to date with the in contact with Witsen. He actively sought
latest academic and political news from his Witsen’s patronage by sending him notes
colleagues in various countries. This was on botany and plant material. Furthermore,
important for Witsen, as he was close to the Kaempfer accumulated a vast amount of
Dutch political powers and being informed general information on Japan. After he
was essential to his job. Through this returned to Europe, this material became
mutually beneficial relationship, both men the basis for his famous book The History
advanced their careers and pursued their of Japan (1727). Interestingly, he describes
personal academic interests. very clearly the networked patronage system.
He explains how an employee at Dejima
Among Witsen’s extensive network were two required considerable capital, because life in
VOC employees who visited Japan. The first Japan involved paying for gifts and travel.
one was the German medical doctor Andreas This means that prior to departure for Japan,
Cleyer (1634–97/98), who was Chief an opperhoofd (chief merchant) or physician
Merchant at Dejima twice: in 1682 and had to borrow money from patrons in
12
1685. We know that Cleyer was involved Batavia to cover all the costs he would
with porcelain – he brought samples of incur in Japan. Upon returning to Batavia,
porcelain to be copied with him when he Kaempfer specifies, the employee had to
arrived in Japan in 1685. These samples repay his benefactors, ‘with silk kimono,
vormen uit vuur I 63